Origin: Scotland
Pole height: 20 – 27 m
Papingo Size: prox. 25 x 30 x 5 cm
Adaptation for T.A.I. Shooting distance: prox. 18 - 25 m Shooting position: 2 - 3 m away from the pole max. 3 Arrows to shoot
The archery form of popinjay dates back to at least the fifteenth century. The annual papingo (popinjay) tournament of the Ancient Society of Kilwinning Archers, of Ayrshire in Scotland, takes place at Kilwinning Abbey, with the “Papingo target” on the end of a pole projecting from the top of the tower. The event is believed to have been running since 1488, though the earliest records are attested in a minute of the society dated September 1688.
There were different ways to shoot a Popinjay: One Bird on a mast/pole or there was a set of birds on perches. The object of popinjay is to knock artificial birds off their perches. The perches are cross-pieces on top of a 90-foot (27 m) mast. The “cock” (the largest bird) is set on the top cross piece. Four smaller “hens” are set on the next crosspiece down. Two dozen or so “chicks” (the smallest birds) are set on the lower cross pieces. (according to the Grand National Archery Society UK (GNAS)
The archer stands near the base of the mast and shoots arrows upwards at the birds. The arrows are tipped with rubber blunts rather than sharp points. The blunts are between 0.75 inches (19 mm) and 1-inch (25 mm) in diameter.